Shrub rose plant named ‘Radliv’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct shrub rose plant is provided that abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive semi-double blossoms that are dark red in coloration. The plant exhibits vigorous vegetation and a bushy, fairly loose and open growth habit. The foliage is dark green with a matte finish. A faint sweet fragrance is provided by the blossoms. The plant is well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in parks and gardens.

Botanical/commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/shrub rose plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. ‘Radliv’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida shrub rose plant of the present invention was created at Greenfield, Wis., U.S.A., by artificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘Radvel’ variety (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘Country Dancer’ variety (non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows: ‘Radvel’×‘Country Dancer’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically and biologically different from each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new shrub rose plant of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive         semi-double blossoms that are dark red in coloration,     -   (b) exhibits a bushy, fairly loose and open growth habit,     -   (c) forms vigorous vegetation,     -   (d) forms attractive dark green foliage with a matte finish, and     -   (e) is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the         landscape.

A new rose variety is provided which bears attractive dark red blossoms combined with substantially continuous blooming. The long blooming cycle of the new variety is generally comparable to that of the KNOCK OUT® family of rose plants which includes the ‘Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836), ‘Radyod’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,700, ‘Radcon’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,070, ‘Radtko’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,202), ‘Radcor’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,346), ‘Radtkopink’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,507) and ‘Radsunny’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,562).

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. It can be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, public areas, and in residential settings. The new variety is particularly well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape. The dark red blossoms contrast nicely with the matte dark green foliage.

The new variety of the present invention can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, unlike the new variety the ‘Radvel’ variety forms blossoms having only 5 or 6 petals and smaller foliage, and the ‘Country Dancer’ variety displays deep pink double blossoms that commonly display approximately 38 petals. The new variety of the present invention also can be readily distinguished from the ‘Radrazz’ variety in several respects including blossom coloration and a greater susceptibility to Black Spot. The blossoms of the ‘Radrazz’ variety are cherry red and are almost florescent when present in full sun. The dark red blossoms of the new variety are near velvet in appearance. The exceptional resistance to Black Spot of the ‘Radrazz’ variety particularly when grown on the East Coast of the United States commonly exceeds that of the new variety. While the new variety displays tolerance to Black Spot, it may eventually succumb to the disease during mid-summer as evidenced by the yellowing of the lower leaves and other signs of Black Spot.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found at Waso, Calif., U.S.A., to be homogeneous and stable and to be strictly transmissible by asexual propagation, such as budding, grafting, and the rooting of cuttings from one generation to another. The new variety reproduces in a true-to-type manner by such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been named ‘Radliv’ and will be marketed in the United States under the MIDWEST LIVING trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new variety. The illustrated rose plants of the new variety were approximately four years of age and were observed during July while growing outdoors near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

FIG. 1 shows a pair of typical flowering plants.

FIG. 2 shows a close view of typical dark red blossoms and the dark green foliage which displays a matte finish.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart), London, England. The description is based on the observation of two-year-old specimens of the new variety during July while growing outdoors near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Landscape Shrub. -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—Approximately 3.5 to 4 feet on average at the end of             the growing season.         -   Width.—Approximately 3.5 to 4 feet on average at the end of             one growing season.         -   Habit.—Bushy, fairly loose and open. -   Branches:     -   -   Color.—Young stems: near Yellow-Green Group 146B. Adult             wood: Yellow-Green Group 147B.         -   Thorns.—Size: approximately 5 mm in length, approximately 4             mm in width at the base, less than 1 mm in width at the             apex, and commonly near Red Group 37C in coloration. -   Leaves:     -   -   Leaflets.—Number mostly 5 and 7. Length: approximately 4 cm             on average for a terminal leaflet, and approximately 3 cm on             average for a lower leaflet. Width: approximately 2.5 cm on             average at the widest point for a terminal leaflet, and             approximately 1.5 cm on average at the widest point for a             lower leaflet. Shape: ovate with a rounded base and an             acuminate tip. Margins: double serrate. Texture: smooth on             both surfaces, leathery, and with a coarse midrib on the             under surface. Overall appearance: attractive dark green             matte leaves. Color (young foliage): upper surface: commonly             between Greyed-Orange Group 173A and Yellow-Green Group             152A. Under surface: commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 176B.             Color (adult foliage): upper surface: commonly near Green             Group 137B. Under surface: commonly near Yellow-Green Group             146C.         -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 1 cm on average. Texture:             smooth on both surfaces. Color: near Yellow-Green Group             144A.         -   Petioles.—Upper surface: smooth. Under surface: somewhat             roughened with a few prickles commonly less than 2 mm in             length. -   Inflorescence:     Number of flowers.—Commonly approximately 5 blooms on average in a     cluster.     -   -   Peduncle.—Near Yellow-Green Group 145A in coloration,             commonly approximately 9 mm in length, and approximately 10             mm in diameter.             Sepals.—Upper surface: smooth and glaucous, and commonly             near Yellow-Green Group 146D in coloration. Under surface:             smooth and near Yellow-Green Group 146C in coloration. Size:             commonly approximately 2.8 cm in length on average, and             approximately 0.7 cm in width at the base. Number: five.         -   Buds.—Shape: pointed at tip. Length: approximately 2.5 cm on             average as the calyx breaks. Diameter: approximately 1.5 cm             as the calyx breaks. Color: Red Group 53A.         -   Flower.—Form: semi-double. Shape: cuplike, semi-double and             informal. Diameter: approximately 7 cm on average when fully             open. Color (when opening begins): upper surface: near Red             Group 46A. under surface: near Red Group 46A. Color (at end             of blooming): upper surface: near Red Group 46A. under             surface: near Red Group 46A. Fragrance: faint sweet scent.             Petal number: commonly approximately 10 to 12 on average.             Petaloids: commonly 5 to 7 on average. Petal shape: commonly             somewhat reflexed under to form a pointed tip. Petal drop:             the petals commonly drop cleanly at full maturity. Stamen:             approximately 35 on average, and regularly arranged about             the pistils. Anthers: near Greyed-Orange Group 176B in             coloration. Filaments: approximately 5 mm in length, and             near Yellow Group 12C in coloration. Pistils: separate and             free. Styles: commonly approximately 4 mm in length, and             near Red Group 53B in coloration. Stigmas: approximately 1             mm in diameter, and near Orange Group 26B in coloration. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—Vigorous and strong.         -   Blossoming.—Abundant and substantially continuous during the             growing season.         -   Resistance to insects.—Has proven to be resistant to             leafhoppers and midge during observations to date.         -   Tolerance to disease.—Some tolerance to Black Spot has been             displayed, and commonly less resistance to Black Spot than             the ‘Radrazz’ variety.         -   Hardiness.—During observations to date the plant has proven             to be hardy to U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 5, and to             U.S.D.A. Zone No. 4 with winter protection.         -   Formation of hips/seeds.—None have been observed during             observations to date. 

1. A new and distinct shrub rose plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive semi-double blossoms that are dark red in coloration, (b) exhibits bushy, fairly loose and open growth habit, (c) forms vigorous vegetation, (d) forms attractive dark green foliage with a matte finish, and (e) is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape; substantially as herein shown and described. 